Bill Childress, loved family, the beach
The beach at Gordon’s Pond has lost a dedicated beach bum, Bill Childress, who passed away at 72. Bill moved on to a heavenly beach to solidify his legendary beach bum status with a cooler in hand. The family requests that beach umbrellas be held at half-staff in his remembrance.
Originally from Howard County, Md., Bill and his wife, Carla, moved to the beach in 2016. Not long after moving to Lewes, Bill discovered Gordon’s Pond and began enjoying sun and sand at every opportunity. Bill had a vibrant personality and a great sense of humor, easily making friends at the beach, neighborhood, and throughout his life in general. Bill was known for wearing his beach attire (white “Gilligan” style hat, colorful swim trunks, fluorescent T-shirt, and black flip-flops with white socks) everywhere, including on vacation to Colorado, eliciting many comments and curious looks. His best beach days were spent with his granddaughter, Autumn Terry; his great-niece, Brielle; and great-nephews, Bradley, Cole and Chase.
An avid car lover, he could be spotted driving his 1969 GTX or 2016 Dodge Hellcat whenever not lounging at the beach. He prided himself on occasionally leaving evidence of excessive acceleration on quiet rural roads.
Bill grew up in Howard County, Md., graduating from Mt. Hebron High School in 1971. He attended Lynchburg College in Virginia from 1971-75. This included an unexpected rapid descent of a mountain along Skyline Drive, resulting in the installation of what he called an “indestructible plastic plate” in his head. These years also included a comical story about Dining and Dashing and many great times with his close college buddies.
After graduating, he returned home to work in the family restaurant, The Forest Diner. He later moved on to sales and estimating positions with other companies, retiring in 2013.
In 1996, Bill married the love of his life, Carla, spending 29 fun and adventurous years together. Other than college, his happiest years were the last 10 he spent with friends and family at the beach, and he voiced how fortunate he was to have had that time. Bill had a big heart and loved his family with his heart and soul.
Bill is predeceased by his parents, Carl and Betty Childress. He is survived by his loving wife, Carla; son, Jeremy Terry; granddaughter, Autumn Terry; daughter, Samantha Terry; sister, Kathy Foehrkolb (Jimmy); brother, Robert Childress (Lisa); nieces, Jen Halstead (Greg) and Sarah Carnohan (Scott); a great-niece and three -nephews; and sister and brother-in-law, Lisa and Rusty Ewing.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Surgical Critical Care Center at Christiana Hospital, whose tender care and concern for Bill were appreciated by the entire family.
Although his family is heartbroken and will miss him dearly, they feel blessed to have been a part of his life.
A celebration of Bill's fun-loving, lively, and sometimes ornery life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following charities: Lewes Fire Department, 347 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE, 19958, or Beebe Healthcare, 424 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE, 19958.
Visit Bill's Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
